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The Athlete's Invisible Opponent: Synthetic Turf Risks in Sustainable Stadiums and Green Chemistry Solutions
Summary
This review examined the health and environmental risks posed by styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) infill granules in third-generation synthetic sports pitches. The authors found that athletes are exposed to microplastics and carcinogenic compounds from rubber crumb, and reviewed green chemistry alternatives that could replace conventional infill while maintaining pitch performance.
The modern sports industry is witnessing the global proliferation of third-generation (3G) synthetic pitches, positioned as an economic remedy to the maintenance challenges inherent in natural grass. However, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) granules, widely utilized as an infill material in these fields and marketed as a sustainable investment, present a profound paradox regarding human and environmental health. This chapter critically examines the physiological impact of chemical constituents in synthetic surfaces on athletes and explores the role of Green Chemistry principles in mitigating risk. The study analyzes the potential of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) embedded in SBR granules, with a particular emphasis on their "outgassing" potentials in warm climate zones, such as Turkey, and the synergistic toxicity they impose on athletes. Furthermore, microplastic pollution resulting from granule migration is evaluated as a significant ecological threat. In the solution-oriented section, bio-based alternatives, including cork, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and olive pits, which align with Turkey's agricultural potential, are compared in terms of cost, performance, and toxicological profiles. Ultimately, the chapter argues that for sport to remain a holistic health practice, stadiums must be redesigned not merely for performance but through Green Chemistry solutions grounded in biological and ecological compatibility. Concrete implementation frameworks for local governments and policymakers are subsequently presented.